Cable tray splice

Abstract

A splice for connecting a first and second cable tray includes first and second connectors. The first connector has a first base, a first tine extending from the first base having a first female connecting feature, and a second tine extend from the first base having a first male connecting feature. The first and second tine are separated by a first opening. The second connector has a second base, a third tine extending from the second base having a second female connecting feature, and a fourth tine extend from the second base having a second male connecting feature. The third tine and the fourth tine are separated by a second opening. The first and second connectors are configured to be connected together with the first female connecting feature mating with the second male connecting feature and the first male connecting feature mating with the second female connecting feature.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. A cable tray system comprising:
 a first cable tray; 
 a second cable tray; 
 a first connector having a first base, a first tine extending from the first base having a first female connecting feature, and a second tine extending from the first base having a first male connecting feature, wherein the first tine and the second tine are separated by a first opening and wherein the first tine extends orthogonal to the second tine; and 
 a second connector having a second base, a third tine extending from the second base having a second female connecting feature, and a fourth tine extending from the second base having a second male connecting feature, wherein the third tine and the fourth tine are separated by a second opening and wherein the third tine extends orthogonal to the fourth tine, 
 wherein the first connector is connected to the second connector and a portion of the first cable tray and a portion of the second cable tray are positioned between the first connector and the second connector. 
 
     
     
       2. The cable tray system of  claim 1 , wherein the first female connecting feature mates with the second male connecting feature and the first male connecting feature mates with the second female connecting feature. 
     
     
       3. The cable tray system of  claim 2 , wherein the first, second, third, and fourth tines are deformable to connect the first and second connectors. 
     
     
       4. The cable tray system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second openings at least partially define a conduit configured to receive the portion of the first cable tray. 
     
     
       5. The cable tray system of  claim 1 , wherein the fourth tine is positioned on the exterior of the first tine. 
     
     
       6. The cable tray system of  claim 1 , wherein the first male connecting feature includes a projection. 
     
     
       7. A cable tray system comprising:
 a first cable tray; 
 a second cable tray; 
 a first connector having a first base, a first tine extending from the first base having a first female connecting feature, and a second tine extending from the first base having a first male connecting feature, wherein the first tine and the second tine are separated by a first opening and wherein the first tine extends orthogonal to the second tine; and 
 a second connector having a second base, a third tine extending from the second base having a second female connecting feature, and a fourth tine extending from the second base having a second male connecting feature, wherein the third tine and the fourth tine are separated by a second opening and wherein the third tine extends orthogonal to the fourth tine,
 wherein the first male connecting feature includes a projection, and 
 
 wherein the first connector is connected to the second connector and a portion of the first cable tray and a portion of the second cable tray are positioned between the first connector and the second connector. 
 
     
     
       8. The cable tray system of  claim 7 , wherein the first female connecting feature includes a recess. 
     
     
       9. The cable tray splice of  claim 7 , wherein the first female connecting feature includes an opening. 
     
     
       10. The cable tray splice of  claim 7 , wherein the projection includes a dimple. 
     
     
       11. The cable tray system of  claim 7 , wherein the first female connecting feature mates with the second male connecting feature and the first male connecting feature mates with the second female connecting feature. 
     
     
       12. The cable tray system of  claim 7 , wherein the first, second, third, and fourth tines are deformable to connect the first and second connectors. 
     
     
       13. The cable tray system of  claim 7 , wherein the first and second openings at least partially define a conduit configured to receive the portion of the first cable tray. 
     
     
       14. A cable tray system comprising:
 a first cable tray; 
 a second cable tray; 
 a first connector having a first base, a first tine extending from the first base having a first female connecting feature, and a second tine extending from the first base having a first male connecting feature, wherein the first connector defines a first opening and a second opening; and 
 a second connector having a second base, a third tine extending from the second base having a second female connecting feature, and a fourth tine extending from the second base having a second male connecting feature, wherein the second connector defines a third opening configured to align with the first opening and a fourth opening configured to align with the second opening, 
 wherein the first connector is connected to the second connector and a portion of the first cable tray is received in the first and third openings and a portion of the second cable tray is received in the second and fourth openings. 
 
     
     
       15. The cable tray system of  claim 14 , wherein the first and second cable trays are wire cable trays. 
     
     
       16. The cable tray system of  claim 14 , wherein the first and second cable trays are positioned end-to-end. 
     
     
       17. The cable tray system of  claim 14 , wherein the first connector and the second connector are crimped together. 
     
     
       18. The cable tray system of  claim 14 , wherein the first male connecting feature includes a projection. 
     
     
       19. The cable tray splice of  claim 14 , wherein the base has a rectilinear configuration and the first tine has a rectilinear configuration. 
     
     
       20. The cable tray splice of  claim 14 , wherein the first connector is identical to the second connector.